Book Review: A New Harvest for Africa

Title: The New Harvest: Agricultural Innovation in Africa
Author: Calestous Juma
Pages: xxvi + 268
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Reviewer: Gumisiriza Mwesigye
Available at http://ksgexecprogram.harvard.edu/features/agin.aspx

Africa’s agricultural sector employs most of the labour force and most of the population derives their livelihood from it. And the growth of the sector is vital for development as it stimulates growth in other sectors. Similar statements are commonplace in literature that is published about agriculture’s place in Africa’s development. In fact, it is almost cliché in publications on the same theme.

But, in this book, Calestous Juma, a Kenyan national and a professor at Harvard University in US, looks at the same subject in different ways. For instance, he states that though increasing agricultural productivity is usually presented as a transition to economic growth a “systems view of economic evolution suggests continuing interactions between agriculture and other sectors of the economy in ways that are mutually reinforcing”.

He points out that innovation should be integrated within strategies to increase agricultural production and foster development. He highlights three opportunity areas. The first is the advances in science, technology and engineering. The other is the efforts to create regional markets that cross national borders. Then, the emergence of a generation of leaders that is focused on long-term economic transformation.

The book is divided into seven chapters. The first one examines the links between agriculture and economic growth. It is observed that food security, agricultural development, and economic growth are intertwined.

The second chapter considers the implications of advances in science and technology: “African countries can utilise the large aggregation of knowledge and know-how that has been amassed globally...These are able to enhance technological advances and scientific research while expanding storage, collection, and transmission of global knowledge”.

Chapter three defines agricultural innovation in a systematic context. “Agriculture is considered central to African economies, but it is treated like other sectors...Government, the private sector, universities, and research institutions are important parts of a larger system of knowledge and interactions that allows diverse actors with varied strengths to come together to pursue broad common goals in agricultural innovation.”

The fourth chapter outlines the connections between infrastructure and agricultural innovation. Infrastructure is defined here as facilities, structures, equipment, services, and institutional arrangements that aid the flow of agricultural goods, services and ideas. “Roads, water facilities, airports, seaports, railways, telecommunications networks, and energy systems represent just a portion of the web of national and regional infrastructure necessary for food security, agricultural innovation, and agriculture-based economic development”.

The role of education in fostering agricultural innovation is covered by the next chapter. Some of Africa’s most persistent agricultural challenges lie in the educational system. “Governments and schools should treat agriculture as a skill to be learned, valued, and improved upon from early childhood through adult careers instead of as a last resort...”

Chapter six presents the significance of entrepreneurship. “Much is already known about how to support business development...These can be complemented by simple ways to promote rural innovation that involve low levels of funding, higher local commitments and consistent long-term government policy”.

The final chapter outlines regional approaches for fostering agricultural innovation. “Many of Africa’s individual states are no longer viable economic entities; their future lies in creating trading partnerships with neighbouring countries. Indeed, African countries are starting to take economic integration seriously”.

Though written by an academic, with input from experts in the several fields covered, he uses case studies and a narration style to sustain readers’ interest. With the current economic situation reinforcing the urgency to find lasting solutions to Africa’s challenges, New Harvest is worthy addition to the discussion.